Good day, fellow Accobarians.
Well we have somehow reached the halfway point of the first season of this here Asteroid Base spin-off, and it has been an interesting experience.
In the first episode we explored the differences between civilian and military leadership and how both have different views on the pursuit of scientific knowledge. We pushed on, welcoming new faces to the station and establishing new figures. We opened the Ferengi Consulate and dealt with landlord/arms dealer, Gaila. We have touched upon the black market, political scandal, accusations of conspiracy and the cover-up of murder. Rebel factions on opposite sides working towards the same goal. Romulan infiltrators posing as Starfleet commanders. Rumours of bio-attacks and unexplained fleet movements. We may even have succeeding in changing our little corner of the universe for the better. All within eight episodes.
If this were Asteroid Base, we would be gearing up for the finale right about now. But as you may be aware, the first season of Asteroid Field was pushed out to 16 episodes. Setting up new rules in a familiar setting was not something which could be condensed. Especially considering the amount of time required to cover some of the running stories. I am currently uncertain whether this format will continue in to further seasons. Personally I think there's no definitive number, but wouldn't be surprised to see the count scaled back once we are where we want to be. This first season was designed to make the necessary changes to pull the series out of Asteroid Base's shadow in a number of ways. By the time we reach Episode 16 - you will know how exactly that was achieved. Not necessarily in the ways you may think. But what do you think? Do you prefer the Asteroid Base format? Or would you not be adverse to longer runs in the future? I guess you will know for sure in another two months or so.
Speaking of which... what can you expect from the next eight episodes? Well, myself and Griffiths have an even split of stories to tell. So here now, a little guide to hint at Season 1.5.
Episode 9 - Business as Usual: By Griffiths - Expect to see a great deal of character development here. This episode will ease us into the second half of Season One, and allow for continuation of on-going sub-plots or the start of new ones. There will be some aftermath from the first summit and how certain arrangements have progressed since the meeting.
Episode 10 - Wargames: By Griffiths - We're hit close to home. Some of us find what happens to be more unsettling than others. The Accobar System will be on centre stage for this episode, and you may just see a familiar face from E8.
Episode 11 - Title TBA: By Griffiths - A vessel with "unique" characteristics passes through the Accobar System. There are those on Pioneer who will not be happy for the visit from the start.
Episode 12 - Title TBA: By Griffiths - Wait and see!
Episode 13 - Zeus Tallaios: By Grizz - This is G'rath's masterpiece.
Episode 14 - Title TBA: By Grizz - If I told you the title of this one, that would be cheating. But I can say that it's a nostalgia-filled trip on the USS Athena, with not an Asteroid Field created character in sight.
Episode 15 - Bad Moon Rising: By Grizz - By this point, we will be diving in to the race for control of the station. It will be Hampton versus Chaplain through the second half of the season. But there's plenty of other stuff here too... hmm.
Episode 16 - _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ : By Grizz - Named after a story from Greek Mythology, the finale brings the military, the scientists, the politicians and the ancient Accobar civilisation together for the next great leap forward in the storyline which started many years ago.
There will be a minisode running on the 20th to detail one of many signing ceremonies in the days following episode 8's summit. Attendance will not be monitored, however it is always nice to grab as many as possible. On a related note, whenever a main episode is postponed, I will attempt to run something in that week. I don't like downtime. I don't like inactivity. It kills SRPs and risks losing member interest. I wouldn't want that to happen so I will ensure that the Asteroid Field train never stops running.
Thank you to everyone who has participated in the first half of the season. Thank you to those who made the leap from Asteroid Base when it was abruptly ended due to unforeseen circumstance. Thank you to those who have joined up since Asteroid Field was created. All of your contributions and feedback in the discussion threads has been noted and continues to be appreciated. It's thanks to this feedback that I can safely say that Asteroid Field will return for a second season - conditions providing.
Alright, rambling over. Enjoy!
Grizz
Grizz!
Wake up!